Raywalt, with a legacy dating back to 1979, is an example of excellence in the installation of underground utilities. With more than four decades of service, this company embodies the “Raywalt Difference,” where clients find themselves in experienced hands from the outset. At Raywalt the emphasis lies not just on projects, but on people – the core of their success. The company prides itself on being known for integrity, professionalism and constantly evolving skills, driving their remarkable growth and reputation. This commitment to quality extends to their work ethic, ensuring timely project delivery, a safe working environment and adherence to the highest environmental standards.
“Raywalt was founded in 1979 by Walter Volsky and Ray Necula,” says Ron Johnson, chairman and director. “Walter was working for a UK company at that time and he saw an opportunity for a smaller, more agile company to capture market share and provide the type of service only a niche, boutique firm could offer.”
“I knew Walter,” Johnson shares. “Before Raywalt, the different companies we both worked at collaborated on a job or two. So, when he started Raywalt he approached me and asked me to work for him”
“I had worked for an engineering firm that previously worked with Raywalt,” says Jordan Rice, president. “After being away from the private development industry for a couple years, I was looking for a new opportunity to get back into the industry and I heard Raywalt was seeking someone with my qualifications.”
Excited about the client-centric approach of Raywalt, along with the interesting projects and outstanding corporate culture, Rice was happy to come in for a talk.
An example of the corporate culture is explained by Johnson, “In 1988 Walter bought 100 per cent of the company from Ray and he owned it solely until 2004.
At that time, Walter was ready to enter into succession planning and sell the company. We talked about it and made the decision to sell it to the employees, which included me, Mark Zutz and Tom Allison.”
Johnson considers the move to employee ownership as a personal highlight in his time with Raywalt and also a true milestone for the growing company – a milestone that demonstrates its commitment and belief in its team. Some members of the team have been with the company since the early 1980s and as such, have been through many up and down cycles of the economy. Regardless, the evolution of staff at Raywalt has been as consistent and steady as possible. His milestones also include the addition of Jordan Rice and Andrew Kowalchyk to the ownership group in 2014, as well as the recent addition of Tom Steblyk.
After Volsky took over sole ownership of the company, he moved the company to Acheson in 1988. Still a burgeoning industrial park in the late 1980s, he and the management team at Raywalt saw the incredible potential of the location – and their intuition was spot on.
“Acheson is growing like crazy,” Rice confirms about the location that provides Raywalt with superior access to major highways and plenty of space for their operations and equipment.
Raywalt’s presence has been seen at major transmission projects around the city such as major storm water outfalls, large steel and PVC watermains and the Northwest Anthony Henday’s transmission bypass system – to name just a few.
Raywalt has grown to become a leader in underground utility installation while also making a name for itself in the industry and as a great place to work. Continued growth has driven the company from a start of around 12 employees to today’s 130+ within the office and the field.
“Putting our clients’ and our team’s needs first drives our success,” says Johnson. “We have a lot of meetings to discuss accommodating what needs to get done. Because we do a lot of private work, our clients are #1 and they know they can depend on us.”
“Another driving factor,” says Rice, “is that we look at the overall project beyond our scope. We look at projects as a whole and how the other contractors and teams are involved so we can work collaboratively to help ensure success for the client.”
While there are some challenging factors such as weather conditions that are unfavourable, Alberta’s ongoing labour shortage and slow approval process at times, the staff always rise to the challenge while remaining grateful for the main reason they enjoy coming to work every day. That reason is the team.
“The people are what really make our company. They are what this is all about,” smiles Johnson.
Rice is happy to note, “It is easy to go to work when you enjoy the people you work with!”
In addition to being a supportive force for the team and clients, Raywalt is also in the trenches when it comes to supporting the community. Raywalt’s management team and employees have been involved in three Habitat for Humanity projects, support the University Hospital Foundation, are a major sponsor of Kids with Cancer Society and can be found at dozens of local causes throughout the year.
At this 45-year milestone, Johnson and Rice say a special thank you to Volsky for selling the company to the employees, the loyal clients that have supported Raywalt for more than four decades and their vendors and their suppliers, whom they consider important partners in the company’s success.
Where do they go from here?
“There will be no major changes. We will carry on doing what we do best, which is infrastructure services. This has always been our main focus and while we are adaptable and nimble to serve the industry, we have never deviated from our goal.”
With 45 years of experience specializing in underground utilities across Edmonton, Raywalt continues to lead the industry through a blend of expertise, dedication and a steadfast focus on client satisfaction.
A recent project of note was Yellowhead Trail.
“Last fall a general contractor was having some challenges with a project on Yellowhead Trail,” says Johnson. “The contractor reached out to us and as we had the capacity, they hired us. It was a tough job, but it went very well.”
Rice adds, “What makes it memorable is that it was out of scope for our day-to-day operations. Challenges included night shifts, tight workspaces, inclement weather and managing traffic. However, this was a contractor we had partnered with in the past and we were excited to have the capacity to take on the project.”
Being reached out to in this way underscores a driving philosophy of Raywalt – trust.
“People trust us,” says Johnson. “We don’t abandon projects or leave our clients in difficult positions.”
“We do what we say, when we are going to do it,” says Rice. “We keep our word for timing, what we provide and the level of service. Clients get what we said they would and they get incredible value, expertise and safety on each site. Sometimes conditions beyond our control create problems but we are honest about the situation and work towards a solution together.”
Raywalt has grown to become a leader in underground utility installation while also making a name for itself in the industry and as a great place to work. Continued growth has driven the company from a start of around 12 employees to today’s 130+ within the office and the field.
“Putting our clients’ and our team’s needs first drives our success,” says Johnson. “We have a lot of meetings to discuss accommodating what needs to get done. Because we do a lot of private work, our clients are #1 and they know they can depend on us.”
“Another driving factor,” says Rice, “is that we look at the overall project beyond our scope. We look at projects as a whole and how the other contractors and teams are involved so we can work collaboratively to help ensure success for the client.”
While there are some challenging factors such as weather conditions that are unfavourable, Alberta’s ongoing labour shortage and slow approval process at times, the staff always rise to the challenge while remaining grateful for the main reason they enjoy coming to work every day. That reason is the team.
“The people are what really make our company. They are what this is all about,” smiles Johnson.
Rice is happy to note, “It is easy to go to work when you enjoy the people you work with!”
In addition to being a supportive force for the team and clients, Raywalt is also in the trenches when it comes to supporting the community. Raywalt’s management team and employees have been involved in three Habitat for Humanity projects, support the University Hospital Foundation, are a major sponsor of Kids with Cancer Society and can be found at dozens of local causes throughout the year.
At this 45-year milestone, Johnson and Rice say a special thank you to Volsky for selling the company to the employees, the loyal clients that have supported Raywalt for more than four decades and their vendors and their suppliers, whom they consider important partners in the company’s success.
Where do they go from here?
“There will be no major changes. We will carry on doing what we do best, which is infrastructure services. This has always been our main focus and while we are adaptable and nimble to serve the industry, we have never deviated from our goal.”
With 45 years of experience specializing in underground utilities across Edmonton, Raywalt continues to lead the industry through a blend of expertise, dedication and a steadfast focus on client satisfaction.
10374 – 276 Street, Acheson, Alberta, T7X6A5
(780) 962-0030 • mainoffice@raywalt.ca